Machine for making reenforced concrete beams



April 28, 1936. H F, YCUNG l 2,039,204

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Filed Dec. 9, 1929 4she'ets-sheet 1 A TTORNE X5! April 28, 1936. H, F, YOUNG 2,039,204

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Fild Dec. 9, 1929 isheets-sheet 2 /N VENTO/e l ATTORNEYS` H. F. YOUNG April 28, 1936.

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORGED CONCRETEl BEAMS' Filed Deo, 9, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 3 /N my 701e Noa/WJ IT Magi' A TTORNE V5 H. F. YOUNG Apri2S, 1936.

MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS Filed Dec. 9, 1929 4Sheets-Sheet 4 /N VENTO/e mwa/d You@ B Y f, r/ I r A TTORNE x5 PatentedApr. 28, 1936 UNITED rSTATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR MAKING REENFORCEDCONCRETE BEAMS Application December 9, 1929, Serial No. 412,654

3 Claims.

The objects of the invention are:

First, to provide an improved joist of concrete containing light weightaggregates such as Haydite, a vitried aerated clay product, or cinder orother light weight aggregates, although the invention is adapted to theproduction of concrete beams generally which, however, as ordinarilymade, are so heavy as to be cumbersome.

Second, to provide a beam or joist with an improved arrangement ofreinforcing material.

Third, to provide an improved reinforcement for use in I-beams orjoists.

Fourth, to provide an improved'machine and process for the manufactureof such I-beams or joists.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of construction andoperation will appear from the description to follow. I carry out myinvention by the devices and means illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view, partially diagrammatic, of a machineand apparatus for making my improved beams or joists.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional elevation on line 2 2of Fig. l, showing details of the arrangement of the carriage, paletteand beam forming mechanism, the brace rods being omitted.

Fig. 3 is a detail longitudinal sectional View through the carriage andmechanism taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2, the details of the scraper andfeed hopper being omitted and the palette being shown in its lower orbeam forming position.

Fig. 4 is a similar longitudinal sectional view on the same plane asFig. 3, showing the automatic method of elevating the palette forremoval of the finished beam or joist.

Fig. 5 is a detail longitudinal sectional View on line 5 5 of Fig. 1,showing the succession of forming rollers and details of their action.The scraper means for cooperation with the rollers and the details ofthe ends of the palette are shown in full lines, other parts beingomitted for the sake of clearness.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail cross sectional View through the nishingroller and the palette, bed plate and adjustable side rails, other partsbeing omitted, taken on line 5 6 of Figs. 1 and 5, the roller beingshown in full lines.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail side elevation view of the trip mechanismsfor controlling the feed gate from the hopper, both in opening andclosing the same.

Fig. 8 is a, still further enlargement of the automatic trip for openingthe feed gate of the hopper.

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of the finished beam, the reinforcing beingshown by dotted lines.

Fig. l0 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional elevation View takenon line lll-I0 of Fig. 9, the cross sections of the beams or joists oflesser height being indicated by dotted lines, such beams all beingcapable of production on the machine by the adjustment or variation ofthe rollers and side rails.

Fig. 11 is a detail elevation of the principal reinforcement before itis put in place.

The parts of the drawings will be identified by their numerals ofreference.

I is the foundation to which are secured the rails 2, 2 of thelongitudinal track. On this track is a longitudinal carriage 3 made upof channel side rails 3l, 3l connected at the top by 'bed plate 32 whichis connected to the side rails 3|. The longitudinal carriage 3 isprovided with bearing brackets 33 which are carried by the axle 34 onwhich are the carrying wheels 35.

On the bed plate 32 is disposed the palette 4 for carrying the beam orjoist 5. This palette 4 is conformed to produce one side of the I-beam.The raised portion at the center which is materially higher at thecenter than at the sides affords a space for the elevating shoes 6between it and the bed plate.

The end gates 21 of the molds for the beam, corresponding to the crosssection of the beam, are adjustable. Slots are formed in the side railsto receive the same at intervals of about one foot so that, by insertingthese end gates at the right point, beams of predetermined length can bemade until the machine is re-set. By using fewer of the forming rollers,narrower beams can be made, the sizes being indicated by dotted lines inFig. 10. A suitable palette for each width is required. The sides of themold are adjustable for this purpose. I'he action of the machineotherwise is the same.

The elevating shoes 6 are supported on plungers 'l which are carried bythe I-beam leveling bar 8 for elevating the shoes on the level. The endplungers are embraced by vertical guides 9 secured to the under side ofthe-bed plate by welding at their upper ends or otherwise. The levelingbar 8 is controlled in its up and down movements by cam levers Il), II.These levers are fulcrumed at IGI, III to uprights |02, H2 carried bythe sides of the carriage 3.

A cam track I3 is provided on which travel the cam rollers |03, I I3respectively. Inclines or cams |3| and |32 are spaced the same as thesaid cam levers IU and I I to cooperate therewith and raise the levelingbar 8 by the advancing of the said carriage 3. Contact rollers |04, I4are provided to contact with the under side of the leveling bar 8.

It will thus be seen that when the carriage travels to the end or" itsstroke the palette with the finished concrete beam thereon will beelevated to a point where it can be Very readily removed either by handor by crane or otherwise, for conveyance to the curing racks.

The concrete is discharged to the I-beam mold from the hopper I4, thehopper being supported in any convenient manner in position to delivermixed concrete on the palette. It is supported and disposed with itsgate to open automatically as the carriage is advanced under the same byany suitable means. :The means for closing the gate'appears in Fig'. '7.Details of the automatic' means for opening the gate appear on the front1 side of the hopper spout I 5, as seenin Figs. 7 and 8. 'The gate I6 ofthe hopper is fulcrumed on ther pin II. A trip arm IBI is secured on theside of the gate and is acted upon automatically by the yielding stop I8carried on adjustable bracket IBI clamped by the set screws |82 to thebed plate;

-The stop is pivoted at |83 and is held yieldingly in position by spring|84.. As the carriageis ad-VV vanced the stop I8 encounters the trip armIBI I and swings the gate of the hopper open. The stop pivots to permitthe return of the carriage.

f 'Ihe upper end of each side of the hoppergate'.

is provided with an engaging tooth |52. On each side of the hopper spoutis secured'an adjustable latch IB carried by rockshaft |92 o'n theadjust able bracket I9I; The latchesare thus pivoted at |92 and areprovided with aA single trip arm |93 t which extends down upon theopposite side of the palette and bedv plate.

Trips I8 exactly like trips I8 are providedlto cooperate with trip arm|93 to close the gate.

The latches I9 are provided with beveled teeth |94 adapted to engage theteeth H52V of the gate I6 so that when the gate is swungwvide open itdrops back against the latch at the predetermined adjusted position toinsure the proper'supply of mix. The result is that a surplus ofconcrete will be at once dropped onto the palette, the gate will closeto substantially the right vsize opening to deliver suicient concretemixture on the palette to lill the space between the adjusted sides.

A pair of springs |63 is provided for the prompt closing of the gate.The tensionV on the springs is controlled by the adjustable tensionblocks |64;

one on each side. The `front structure only is detailed.

It will thus be seen that the quantity of concrete mixture delivered tothe mold is controlled automatically and, when the carriage has reachedthe end of the beam, thev gate is automatically tripped and the supplycut off. The trip stop is adjusted to correspond to the Aend g'ate` ofthe mold so that the supply of concrete is cut oir accurately at the endof the beam. f

Before the concrete is discharged into the mold,` the reinforcingmembers are put in place; main reinforcement comprises longitudinal rods5I, 52 which are connected by vertical cross bars 53 welded thereto atintervals corresponding to the space between the said main bars. To se-`cure proper reinforcement these verticals should be placed no fartherapart than the space between the main bars and may be placed at lesserintervals as the exigencies require.

In the base of the beam are disposed additional longitudinal rods 54, 55which are connected to the main rod 5I by chairs 55 formed like hairpinsand indented to properly space the said rods. A chair 51 is provided forthe rod 52 in the beam head. The ends of the cross bars are bent toparallel relation (see Figs. l0 and 11) with the longitudinals and thereinforcing disposed on the palette between'the adjustable sides whichare adjusted to the required dimension.

An A-shaped scraper 2i! (see Figs. l and 5) is disposed to strike oifany surpius of the concrete mix that is dropped into the mold from thehopper spout. This arrangement is definitely seen in plan in Fig. 5.Chutes 26| are provided to discharge the surplus. v

Forming rolls 2|, 22, 23, 23, and 25 are supported above the mold to actsuccessively on the f concrete after it has been poured into the mold.'Ihese rolls are each disposed on suitable axles carried on the rollcarrying frame 26 which comprises side posts 26 I, lower side rails 262and upper side rails 263, `all suitably braced and supported.

Intermediate uprights '234 are provided on which are supportedadjustable journal brackets 265 for carrying the said rolls, adjustingscrews 266 being provided for each roll.

Roll 2| has a narrow downwardly projecting V-rib 2| I. Roll 22 hastadownwardly projecting rib 22|1shaped to enter the upper part of theopening formed by rib 2|I of roll 2| and further divideand spreadtheconcrete carried by the mold to each side. '-Roll` 23 has a wider rib23|,'roll 24 has a still wider rib 24 I, and the finishing roll has therib 25|. Thus, as the mold with its contained palette is advanced, it isfirst acted upon by the roll 2|, then its narrow projecting rib 2| I andthen by the'rolls 22, 23, 24,'and 25 successively with their graduallywidening ribs 22|, 23|, 24|-, and 25|." 'I'his divides the concrete thatis discharged into the mold centrally and agitates and then iinally'compresses and forces it to the base and head of the beam, compactingit laterally and very firmly around the longitudinal strands 5 I, 52,54, and 55, as seenv particularly in Fig. 10, and. at the sametimecompressing the web of the beam or joist firmly against the centralpart of the operate therewith and deliver the concrete mixi ture underheavy pressuretowards the base and head of the beam or joist down theslight inclines at each side. I have speciiied light aggregates herein,mentioning Haydite as an example. Haydite is a trade name for theparticular light aggregates which I have found especially available.Light aggregates are material that is always more or less porous andaerated, and its fracture is, as a consequence, irregular and rough,

Ymaking the material diicult to handle, particularly in a relatively drymix. vIt has, to use a trade. expression, "poor workability. My machineand method takes this especially into consideration, and the rollsrepeatedly agitate and "compress the mixture, forcing out the voids andworking the cement into close engagement with the roughened surface.This has the effect of not only makingit possible to make a lighterbeam, owing to the less weight of the aggregates,

. but because of the perfect bond between the cement and thesevroughened surfaces, when properlyworked, the actual dimensions of thebeam may be reduced and yet secure the strength of what is ordinarilyaccomplished by a beam of usual dimensions. The material, beyond atamping action, is subjected to a kneading action very similar to thatwhich is imparted to dough when mixed, 'insuring a complete mixing ofthe aggregates.

Where the light aggregates are used, such as the Haydite, thiscompression is of great importance to insure the closing of voids,particularly in the base and head of the beam or joist. The thin webbetween is compressed without difliculty to secure the required texture.However, it is a mattei', particularly with the light aggregates, ofconsiderable difficulty to insure the compacting of the same tocompletely and thoroughly lill the head and foot of the mold because apouring consistency of the concrete is not possible with lightaggregates. It must be of ya consistency to tamp.

These light aggregates are worked comparatively dry, because of the factthat they are light and because of the tendency of the same to segregatefrom the cement in Wet mixes. They are necessarily worked very muchdrier than the usual sand and gravelaggregate. However, by the use of mymachine and method a damp mix as distinguished from a Wet mix isrequired to avoid adhesion to the rolls and also to permit immediatehandling of the molded beam.

In the operation of my machine, the hopper I4 is provided with concretemix. The carriage 3, containing the palette and reinforcements, alladjusted to the size beam required, is advanced under the hopper. Thestop I8 engages the arm |5| and opens the gate I6 Wide.

As soon as the stop passes the arm |6| the gate closes to thepredetermined required opening for supplying concrete to the size of themold to which the machine is adjusted, that is, the latches I9 engagethe teeth |62 and, depending on the elevation to which the latches areadjusted, the gate opening is controlled.

As the carriage advances, the scraper strikes off the surplus and, asthere is a comparatively heavy surplus at the start, distributes italong the mold, insuring even and full distribution in the mold levelwith the top of the side rails.

The rst roll 2! with its narrow V-rib 2|! divides the soft concrete,forcing it laterally towards the base and head of the beam, at the sametime compressing it rmly into the mold and compacting the same evenly ateach side, and subjecting the whole mass to agitation, which has theeffect of tamping the same into place and insuring the closing of voidswithout jarring.

The second roll 22 with its rib 22| expands the groove thus formed bythe rst roll, pressing the same laterally with strong pressure and, atthe same time, of course, closing the voids in the web of the beam.

This process is continued until the entire series of rolls have thusacted, agitating and forcing the concrete into compact form, eliminatingair pockets, and securing a tamping effect without jarring and therebyavoiding any substantial segregation of the aggregate from the mix. Thusan even distribution of the aggregate is insured in the beam andsubstantial closing of all voids. It also insures a very compact mass atthe base and the head of the rail, perfecting the same and insuring fullbond between the concrete and the reinforcing.

, As the carriage 3 advances 'beyond the rolls, the leveler bar 8. isacted upon by the pair of cam levers carried by the carriage and iselevated Withan even level movement to such height that the palette withthe molded beam can be readily removed to the drying rack without`deiiecting or in any way injuring the same. The beam is stripped fromthe sides of the mold by this even, regular, upward pressure. It is notinjured by the movement and a high grade product is insured.

The method of treatment of the product, rit Will be very clear, can beaccomplished by hand, although veryfmuch more expeditiously with themachine. I desire to claim the method of thus formingrthe beam whetherit is done by hand or by machine. Also, by the use of the machine andthis method, I have accomplished the result of forming high grade beamsand joists by the use of light aggregates which are evenly mixed and ofsuch weight that carpenters and builders used to handling wood joistsare able to handle the same effectively and put them in place.

Owing to the fact that these beams are made completely of concrete .andare effective and strong, they lend themselves very readily to oor joistwork because they can be cemented in place on the wall and can betreated effectively as a part of the masonry and a part of a reproofiloor construction.

The beams or joists are, of course, available and effective for use asstuds or columns. They can be made use of as columns or beams in pairs,filling between the same with reinforce concrete. The particular I formof beam is especially desirable. They may be of any desired crosssection.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a maintrack or way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate on the top of saidcarriage with apertures therethrough, a series of elevating shoesdisposed on the said bed plate within said apertures, vertical plungersattached thereto for elevating the same, a common leveling elevator barconnected to the said plungers, cam levers connected to the saidcarriage and connected to raise said elevator bar, a cam track disposedparallel to the main track having corresponding cam inclines forengagement of the said cam levers to elevate the said plungers and shoeson the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette with upwardly curvedlongitudinal central portion disposed above the said bed plate andelevating shqes, side bars connected to the said bed plate forcooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted tosupport concrete reinforced structures with longitudinal membersconnected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compressionrollers with mid-ribs of successively increasing size and overlappingcontour disposed above the said palette and in position to actsuccessively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, anA-shaped scraper disposed to spread and strike off the contents of themold formed by the said palette and sides, and a concrete hopper withdelivery spout disposed to deliver to the said mold.

2. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a maintrack or Way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate within said apertures onthe top of said carriage with apertures therethrough, a series ofelevating shoes disposed on the said bed plate within said apertures,vertical plungers attached thereto for elevating the same, a. commonleveling elevator bar connected to the said plungers, cam leversconnected to the said carriage and connected to raise said elevator bar,a. cam track disposed parallel to the main track having correspondingcam inclines for engagement of the said cam levers to elevate the saidplungers and shoes on the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette withupwardly curved longitudinal central portion disposed above the said bedplate and elevating shoes, side bars connected to the said bed plate forcooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted tosupport concrete reinforced structures With longitudinal membersconnected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compressionrollers with midribs of successively increasing size and overlappingcontour disposed above the said palette and in position to actsuccessively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, anda concrete hopper with delivery spout disposed to deliver to the saidmold.

3. In a machine for making concrete beams, the combination of a maintrack or Way, a carriage therefor, a bed plate on the top of saidcarriage with apertures therethrough, a series of elevating shoesdisposed on the said bed plate within said apertures, vertical plungersattached thereto for elevating the same, a common leveling elevator barconnected to the said plungers, cam levers connected to the saidcarriage and connected to raise said elevator bar, a cam track disposedparallel to the main track having corresponding cam inclines forengagement of the said cam levers to elevate the said plungers and shoeson the reciprocation of the carriage, a palette with upwardly curvedlongitudinal central portion disposed above the said bed plate andelevating shoes, side bars connected to the said bed plate forcooperation with the said palette, the said palette being adapted tosupport concrete reinforced structures with longitudinal membersconnected by cross bars supported by suitable chairs, compressionrollers With mid-ribs of successively increasing size and overlappingcontour disposed above the said palette and in position to actsuccessively on the contents thereof when the carriage is advanced, anda concrete hopper disposed to deliver to the said mold.

HOWARD F. YOUNG.

